Dark Souls II: ‘World Screenshots’ – Signs of Regression?

Namco Bandai released a new set of Dark Souls II screenshots a few days ago and surprisingly, the images expose a deteriorating scenario. The upcoming graphics are quite similar to the previous game but with clear signs of regression – lack of detail, poor definition and blurred shadows are some of the issues spotted.

[k3x]

I thought that maybe I was a little spoiled as I've been playing DS in 1080p, at 60fps with other dsfix improvements, but then I checked gameplay videos from DS, then DS2 again and, well, the game does look worse than its predecessor.

What stands out the most are the terrible character animations, but there are other things too. The textures' resolution is reminiscent of the early 2000s. The character models and lighting all leave A LOT to be desired as well.

I'm basing this opinion on what I saw in their latest trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watc... . It just looks bad. I know graphics aren't everything, but to have a game look worse than its predecessor released for the same platforms is... unheard of.

I posted something similar on youtube only to promptly get flamed by fanbois. Funnily enough, I've also received a reply from Namco basically telling me to GTFO and play something else if I don't like what I see.

[Senyra]

I actually didn't want to say DS2 will have WORSE graphics but... i think you're right. I'm not sure what engine they're using but the gfx seems worse than DS1 :0

[Mega24]

If they have developed the game for new gen would have been better, with even new features maybe, but low graphics or not, the fanbase is going to love it.

[thorstein]

Since when have the Souls games been about graphics? Well, if that is the problem I better cancel my preorder/s

[PurpHerbison]

thornstein, Demons Souls actually looked very very good for a console game when it came out. I was impressed. But nothing has changed since then.

[frostypants]

@thorstein: Graphics aren't everything but they matter. Be honest. For them to actually get worse would be nearly unprecedented.

[Bimkoblerutso]

They're obviously not ALL about graphics, but building atmosphere is a very, very large part of the game's greatness in my opinion.

And although I wouldn't say that the graphics look WORSE than the first Dark Souls, I have to say that they definitely look no better (and in fact seem to be using most of the same assets as the first one).

It is a little disappointing, but in the end I don't think it's going to matter. Dark Souls is still looking crazy awesome. Just watch the original gameplay video...

[k3x]

The graphics aren't everything, but like other people already explained, they're the most important factor as far as creating the atmosphere goes.

Look at the animations in both games. They just looks stiff in DS2, and since you're going to be looking at your character ALL THE TIME playing this game, I'd say that's a pretty damn big issue. With the abundance of awesome looking games, it's pretty hard to get into the game when your character moves like a stick figure.

The low res textures, everything somehow looks flat and cartoony. Both this and the animations is something you can look at and actually rate objectively. It either looks realistically (and that's what's expected in a game like this) or it does not. The animations are either more realistic than previously or they are not. There's no room for opinion or personal likes/dislikes here. So everyone disagreeing with me: do yourselves a favor, see it for yourself and stop being idiots about it.

I actually like the animations in DS1 and sometimes I'm still impressed by some locations and views. When I watch the trailer that, by its very definition, is supposed to entice me to buy the product, all it does is make me shake my head, smirk in disbelief and think, "How in the f*ck did you guys manage to make the sequel look WORSE?"

[MysticStrummer]

Maybe they downgraded a little to keep the entire game running smoothly, unlike some sections of Demon's and Dark Souls.

[LightofDarkness]

I think you're right. Some FX look a bit nicer, but overall it looks a tad duller.

But really, who wants another Blight Town scenario? Let's be honest, both Souls games had frequent and debilitating framerate issues. If they can lock the framerate at 30FPS for consoles, they should strive to do that.

That said, I hope the PC version allows for higher resolution textures. No point shipping the compressed to hell versions that the consoles seem to be getting when there's no need.

[frostypants]

I never had issues wih the occasional slowdown in Demons Souls or Dark Souls.

[torchic]

I heard it was the draw distances which hampered the framerate, especially in Blighttown since you can see all the way down the area. not sure how true that is.

Dark Souls has some pretty incredible draw distances, like you can go to a part of Darkroot Forest behind Artorias door and snipe Hydra from all the way up there. the framerate was pretty bad in there too.

there's literally no pop-in in that game.

[MestreRothN4G]

I approve any downgrade needed to keep steady frame rate.

I prefer a 600p game running at 30 fps than a 720p at 25-27.

[PurpHerbison]

Dark Souls ran a lot worse than 25-27. But yes, all the changes seem necessary since the engine has trouble keeping 30FPS on console hardware.

[Scrivlar]

I remember thinking they didn't look any better which was annoying, but I don't think they're worse, Hope not anyway.

[JsonHenry]

I'm waiting on PC or next gen version. Whichever one comes first. But not for graphics. I just don't own any last gen consoles anymore.

[Ashunderfire86]

Look to be the same in terms of graphics. Did you guys see those dragons on the bridge, and the deadly horse rider for the first trailer? That actually look better than the first.

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

The Soul games always have great animations and graphics to the monsters with motion blur. I think the game is a beautiful looking game on PS3/360 and even better on PC.

I am going to get this game on PC along with Castlevania 2.

[Wni0]

How about some decent level design this time.

[darren_poolies]

You're kidding right? Dark Souls has some of, if not the best, level design I have ever seen in a game.

[DoctorJones]

Gotta agree with darren on this, the level design in Dark Souls was superb, it was meticulously designed. Every area had it's own character and was a big part in what made the game fun.

I'm not sure why you had a problem with it really.

[Wni0]

Having its own character is art direction, not fu*king level design. The game has a horrible camera/gameplay for verticality and yet the gsme constantly makes you explore and fight up and down tall castles and stairs. Also, the games basic bread and butter mission structure is trial and error. Yes it makes players think on their feet but at the cost of unfair deaths. There is no help from the developers, no real tips, so while I can see the attraction to doing things by yourself (half-life does this well,) its lazy design when there is no buildup unlike HL. In halflife players find out platforiming and physic based puzzles on their own, but Valve makes each puzzle helpful for future challenges. Having "invincible" creatures that simppy can't die untl you have specific items or weapons, AND not telling players really anything isn't great level design, its lazy. All DS is is essentially Player go to location B. Go to C. Go to D. And here are 5-6 monsters in your way. Wow best level design this side of nothing.

[achmetha]

people see what they want to see.

i think it looks fine, but it's hard to tell with those camera angles. i'm excited regardless.

[Ashunderfire86]

Yeah if you look at my comment above I mention the graphics. Both you and I think it looks very good. I don't get it? Didn't anybody see the first 2 trailers? When those 2 trailers came out nobody complain about the graphics. That's just news to my ears that now people are complaining?

[Jaunty]

Shitty clickbait article.

[PurpHerbison]

This article is actually very good for those who are worried about the FPS for console versions. You can clearly see they are at least trying to address that issue by turning things down a little bit. It's great.

[Jaunty]

Are you freaking kidding me? You can't even call it an article, they're all presumptions based on a few screenshots. THE GAME IS NOT EVEN OUT YET.

"This article is actually very good for those who are worried about the FPS for console versions."

No it's not, it's a shitty clickbait article.

[PurpHerbison]

You say that cause you think it is trying to shine a negative light on your precious Dark Souls 2. No, there is MUCH positive to be found here. Any Souls player knows the FPS was terrible so any signs of it improving is absolutely welcomed. This includes slightly worse graphics.

[Jaunty]

I don't know if you're just blind or stupid so I will explain it to you for a second time. I don't say that the article is negative, I'm saying that it's a horribly written article based on nothing substantial. The writer has written only presumptions based on 3 new screenshots. How she talks about the graphics is childish and she clearly doesn't know her stuff because the full resolution screenshots does look better in comparison to Dark Souls. We don't even know if the screenshot are from consoles or pc. Which is a big deal because if they are from the pc version, all of her presumptions about the console version are false. Also she doesn't even mention the beta of Dark Souls II. I've played it on the PS3 and I can tell you, it does look better. HOWEVER, I still noticed framerate problems just like other beta testers out there. So everything that she mentions is currently just bullshit.

[PurpHerbison]

"I don't know if you're just blind or stupid" Stopped right there, your wall of text can fall in limbo now.

[Jaunty]

Then you're clearly stupid and not blind. Thank you for your white knight behaviour.

Oh and your opinion is shit.

[Grave]

Let me tell you how much an opinion from the peanut gallery is valued.

[CrashJones]

From everything I have seen, Dark Souls 1 & 2 have similar graphic levels... it is the style.
To me, it looks great and I cannot wait,but I will.
If anything, it just looks like there is more color added to this game, aside from the lighting, when it comes to graphics.
the way characters react to being hit is the only thing that looks to have been "downgraded" to me... as if there are not so many animations for this. I could be wrong of course.
In this video, the user explains how the move sets changed when the difficulty went up during the last part of the beta test.

This, in my opinion, is the best video so far, that contrasts the differences between Dark Souls 1 & 2

First 13 mins discusses the differences with video accompaniment, while the final 17 mins or so is just some PvP battling.

Enjoy!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[Grave]

This video is awesome, thank you! +Bubz

[CrashJones]

No problem Grave. I get the sense you are looking forward to this game just as much...if not more then me even.

The magic system is really cool now hey?...how there are 4 variations on all/some spells...also, aiming is now possible.

The game looks to have taken the best from Demon's and Dark 1 and combined the two, while improving as well.

The graphics look nicer to me, not "better" really... just nicer.

[DanielGearSolid]

I'll just wait for digital foundry's research... You know, after the game actually comes out

[pecorre]

This game better be good. Dark Souls is one of my favorite game of all time. I would be very disapointed if the sequel is not as good. I don't care about the graphics much, but if it's worse, it could mean the overall game quality will decrease. I hope I am wrong.

[Kivespussi]

Of course prettier game is more satisfying to look at but judging from the beta it isn't going to be that bad. Or maybe I were too excited to pay attention to graphics...
Nah. The game will probably look just fine but only time will tell

[Mister_G]

I didn't like the look of those long armed things, looked a bit rough (I realise it's not finished yet). Also reminded me of the long armed monster from Oolacile DLC.

And then later in the cursed trailer was another very similar monster, but grey, and it looked like it might be a boss. Not Smough and Ornstein, that's for sure.

I'm still buying it, no matter what, I've spent 100's of hours playing Souls games :)

[SoCalledMe]

Sure hope those are console screenshots , don't get me wrong I love DS and I'am not judging it by how it looks , but why would you downgrade next step in franchise compared to 3yr old game ? Here is a gallery to give some an idea how fixed Souls game looks on PC if they havent seen it alredy with some tweaks and mods http://www.flickr.com/photo...

[Roccetarius]

Hopefully some modders will look into this on PC, so we can have both framerate and more pretty visuals. :)

[Master-H]

Looked fine to me during the Beta, the graphics may be a lil less sharper than DS1 to increase the performance, it is to be expected since it's a new engine.